Getting rid of "excess" one gift at a time

While it is another blog day today and I am sipping on my coffee trying to recall what God has shown me about giving this week. He has shown me two main things.
Firstly that there is joy in giving your excess away, whether that is money or belongings. Secondly, it can be difficult to give away "things", even if we haven't used them for a long time.
I have items in my apartment which I haven't used in years which will surely benefit someone else. I have loved seeing or hearing about the reactions of someone being given a random gift or blessing by me. Since this one year challenge of giving began for me (Sept. 8th) I am already feeling a release from "things". I am also having to be deliberate and think about my giving each day.Today I have a Joyce Myers book for a friend. Praise the Lord!!
I have also learned that giving up some items can be difficult. Suddenly re-looking at an item one has not even used can bring about this new "love" for the iteme. I'll see the item I have a double for, and I'll think "I'll need it one year." One year never comes and I am crowding up my cupboard space! The cookbook I hold onto for those few recipes stays on my book shelf.
Just last night I really saw this over a "homemade" loaf of bread. I had not given to anyone yet yesterday, as my friend did not accept my gift of clothing. She had given me two delicious loaves of bread with lentil soup. I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to leave one of the homemade bread loaves in my lobbey.
I rationalized thinking that I could put 1 loaf of frozen store bought bread out instead. But when I really thought about it I really remembered how the fact that the bread was homemade was such a blessing to me. I was feeling blessed and fortunate to be able to leave that gift of bread out for somebody, knowing God was at work!
It has really taught me not to ignore the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, though sometimes I will have no other understanding other than it is part of God's plan. I know my own greed can get in the way. Mold my heart Lord! Mold me! Maybe God's plan, was to start molding me!